A symbol in most general terms is a technique used in literature (and other forms of art – like film) to signify something else of abstract merit or meaning that the author, artist, or filmmaker realizes that the audience will instantly recognize and understand. Symbolism adds depth to the understanding of the message and creates…
Definition: Satire is the literary art of diminishing a subject by making it ridiculous and evoking towards it attitudes of amusement, contempt or scorn. Characteristics: Satire uses laughter as a weapon to convince the listener or reader of the author’s position. Satire “derides” a problem or situation. Satire may be individual, this is called “Personal…
A Theme is a statement of the central idea or message in fiction, narrative or poetry. It is usually not stated explicitly, but rather developed through the characters, plot, narrator’s point of view, and language. It differs from a Topic which is the subject matter being written about, and a Thesis which is an contentious…
Develops Suspense and Atmosphere Throughout the play it has a serious tone and because of this scene taking place at night, it develops a mysterious atmosphere to it. Furthermore, there are supernatural elements in this scene. Therefore, it creates a more tense mood. This scene creates suspense because the scene ends with Hamlet follows the…
Dramatic Irony occurs when the reader knows a secret, but the characters in a play or work of fiction do not. Therefore, the words or actions of a character carry a special meaning for the reader, but are understood differently by the character. The characters are blind to facts, but the reader is not. Nemesis…
Advances the Plot “Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder” (act i, v, 25) Learns of his father’s death Murdered by his uncle Learning this Hamlet wishes to avenge his father Links Incidents in the Plot “With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,- wicket wit and gifts, that have the power So to seduce!-…
This scene advances the plot when Horatio, Bernardo and Marcellus reveal to Hamlet that his father’s ghost has appeared. “A figure like your father, Armed to point, exactly, cap-a-pe” (1.2.199-200). It advances the plot as it drives Hamlet to confront the ghost and gives the ghost the opportunity to reveal the true nature of his…
Act I Scene III contrasts Polonius’s different attitude towards Laertes and Ophelia, which he regards Laertes more important than Ophelia. When he speaks to Laertes, he says: “And you are stay’d for. There; my blessing with thee!” (Act I, Scene III, Line 57) While when he criticizes Ophelia’s affection with Hamlet, he says: “Affection? pooh!…
He is the author of the novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1962). An Academy award-winning film version of the novel was directed by Milos Forman in 1975, starring Jack Nicholson as the main character, McMurphy. Dale Wasserman wrote an adaptation of the novel which played on Broadway. Kirk Douglas had bought the right…
Diction Refers to the choice of words and phrases by a speaker or writer, and includes the formality of the language, as well as the emotional content, the imagery and specificity, and the sounds of the words. Effective diction is situational—there is no one correct way of using language for all situations. An author may…
There is no one way to identify themes in texts. The following are two of the ways one might use to identify themes. One might try to see: Ways in which the main character has changed or what he or she has learned, and the nature of the central conflict. A Thematic Statement should be…
Plot and Sequence Fiction includes novels, short stories and other writings that tell about imaginary people and events. The plan or main story in a piece of fiction is called the plot. Understanding the order of events in a plot is important when you are reading. You probably expect the narrator, or storyteller, to start…
Character Getting to know the characters in a story is like becoming acquainted with a person you have just met. It takes a little more time to learn what the person is like. You learn from what others say about the person. Motivations Motivations are the reasons characters behave the way they do. Notice what…
The setting of a story is the time and place in which the events occur. Think of a movie or TV show that you have watched recently. Was the story about people today or about people from the past or future? How did you recognize the time period? Did the characters’ clothing, hairstyles, and speech…
Voice: is manner in which story is told so as to connect to readers on an emotional level or the author’s point of view. For example: the author speaks directly in his or her own person or a role or speaks through a persona. Audience: the people for whom the audience is written. Ways in…
From the stories you have read so far, it is clear that for a plot to exist, it must have characters, or people created by the author. Although these people are fictional, they must be believable and arouse your sympathy or interest if the story is to hold your attention. Every author, in his own…
Imagery is the use of descriptive language to create an image in the minds of the readers. Shakespeare uses many kinds of images in his play. Here are 4 kinds of imagery we find frequently in Romeo and Juliet: Metaphor: describing something by comparing it to something else without the use of “like” or “as”…
A paragraph is a unit of writing that consists of one or more sentences focusing on a single idea or topic. A well-written paragraph often has the following structure: Topic Sentence: This sentence outlines the main idea that will be presented in the paragraph. Support Details or Examples: This is the part of the paragraph…
Simple: Contains a subject and a verb and is a complete thought (independent clause) (He ate an apple) Compound: Contains two independent clauses combined with a coordinator. (He ate an apple and walked to school) Complex: Contains an independent clause and a dependent (can not be on its own) clause. (He ate an apple after…
1. Verbal Irony: This occurs when a character says one thing but suggests or intends the opposite. For example, in Julius Caesar, Mark Antony says “and Brutus is an honorable man,” when he really means that Brutus is dishonorable because he has betrayed Caesar. Very similar to sarcasm, although sarcasm is harsh and direct while…
